Stansted Airport Raises Drop-Off Fees to £10

Stansted Airport in Essex has increased its passenger drop-off fees, raising the cost for short stops to £10 and prompting concerns among travelers ahead of the Easter holidays.

The changes, effective from March 19, took the price for vehicles using the Express Set Down area up to 15 minutes from £7 to £10, a £3 increase. Stays exceeding 15 minutes but under 30 minutes now cost £28, up from £25. Vehicles remaining longer than 30 minutes face a £100 parking charge notice, which can be reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. Blue Badge holders are exempt from the fees. Payments are handled without barriers through automatic number plate recognition, with options to pay online, by phone, or via an AutoPay account.

A spokesperson for the airport, operated by Manchester Airports Group, explained that the adjustments aim to promote sustainable travel and ease congestion. "Express Set Down charges have been designed to tackle kiss and fly journeys, which are the least sustainable way of accessing the airport, involving four car journeys per flight," the spokesperson said. The measures also reduce vehicle traffic in the space directly in front of the terminal, a capacity-restricted zone....